Portable information processing apparatus

ABSTRACT

A portable information processing apparatus having a disk drive device and being reduced in size and weight is presented. This portable information processing apparatus comprises a disk drive device, a disk cover, a keyboard, and a casing main body. The disk cover can be opened and closed from the casing, and the disk drive device allows part of the disk recording medium to advance beneath the keyboard when the disk recording medium is loaded into the disk drive device.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to a portable informationprocessing apparatus, and more particularly to one having a detachabledisk recording medium.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Recently, notebook-sized personal computers (hereinafter callednotebooks) and other small and lightweight information processingapparatuses are rapidly spreading widely. Along with increase incapacity of application software and data, a detachable recording mediumis demanded to have a large capacity. For the purpose of enjoying themusic or movie, the notebook incorporates a disk drive device capable ofreproducing or writing an optical disk such as CD-ROM or DVD-ROM.

[0003] Referring to FIG. 5 and FIG. 6, a conventional notebook isexplained. FIG. 5 is a perspective outline view of state of use of aconventional notebook incorporating a disk drive device. FIG. 6 is abottom view by removing a back plate of the casing. In FIG. 5, a mainbody 101 comprises an upper case 101 a and a lower case 101 b. On thetop of the upper case 101 a, there is a keyboard 102 arranging a numberof keys for input of text, numerals and symbols and giving variousinstructions to the notebook. At the front side of the top of the uppercase 101 a, there is a pointing device 103 such as keypad for positioninput on the screen. A display unit 105 is installed rotatably on anaxis 104 parallel to the end behind the main body, and at the sidefacing the keyboard 102 when the display unit 105 is closed, a displaydevice 106 such as liquid crystal display device is disposed.

[0004] When an eject button 110 as shown in the drawing is pushed, adisk drive device 109 is slid out as being driven by motor from the leftside of the main body. The disk drive device 109 accepts a disk 107 suchas CD-ROM or DVD-ROM rotatably on a drive shaft 108, and can read fromthe disk 107 or write into the disk 107.

[0005] A conventional notebook with a disk drive device is disclosed,for example, in Japanese Laid-open Patent No. H5-346829.

[0006] In the conventional notebook, however, since the disk drivedevice is designed to slide out, a slide mechanism is needed, and theweight is increased due to drive mechanism or motor.

[0007] Besides, because of the sliding motion of the disk drive deviceand the disk, the disk drive device space and the disk moving spacerequire a free space so as not to contact with other parts in the movingrange of other constituent components. Therefore, the volume efficiencyis poor.

[0008] Further, since the side of the casing is notched, the structuralstrength of the casing is lowered. As countermeasure, the strength mustbe assured by increasing the wall thickness of the upper case and lowercase, and both weight and volume are increased.

[0009] The notebook disclosed in Japanese Laid-open Patent No. H5-346829is designed to open and close the entire keyboard unit. In such systemof opening and closing the entire keyboard unit, various limitationsoccur when composing the notebook, and there are problems in cooling.For example, since a keyboard is not fixed, the intensity on structurebecomes weak or it becomes difficult to contact the keyboard unit bottominto an exothermic portion, and to make heat radiate.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0010] A portable information processing apparatus comprising:

[0011] a disk drive device having a detachable disk recording medium;

[0012] a disk cover for covering the disk drive device;

[0013] a keyboard for data input; and

[0014] a casing main body,

[0015] wherein the disk cover can be opened and closed from the casing;and

[0016] wherein the disk drive device allows part of the disk recordingmedium to advance beneath the keyboard when the disk recording medium isloaded into the disk drive device.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017]FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a state of use of portableinformation processing apparatus in an exemplary embodiment of theinvention.

[0018]FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a state of opening the diskcover of portable information processing apparatus in an exemplaryembodiment of the invention.

[0019]FIG. 3 is a sectional view showing the periphery of disk drivedevice of portable information processing apparatus in an exemplaryembodiment of the invention.

[0020]FIG. 4 is a bottom view showing a state of removing the lower caseof portable information processing apparatus in an exemplary embodimentof the invention.

[0021]FIG. 5 is a perspective outline view of state of use of aconventional notebook.

[0022]FIG. 6 is a bottom view of removing the lower case of the casingof a conventional notebook.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

[0023] It is hence an object of the invention to present a portableinformation processing apparatus enhanced in strength in spite of thickwall of a casing. In addition, the apparatus does not need parts movingspace around a disk drive device, thereby being thin and small in volumein the entire casing. As result, the apparatus can reduce its size andweight.

[0024] The portable information processing apparatus of the invention isexplained specifically below by referring to an example of notebooktogether with the accompanying drawings. FIG. 1 is a perspective viewshowing a state of use of portable information processing apparatus inan exemplary embodiment of the invention. FIG. 2 is a perspective viewshowing a state of opening the disk cover of portable informationprocessing apparatus in an exemplary embodiment of the invention. FIG. 3is a sectional view showing the periphery of disk drive device ofportable information processing apparatus in an exemplary embodiment ofthe invention. FIG. 4 is a bottom view showing a state of removing thelower case of portable information processing apparatus in an exemplaryembodiment of the invention.

[0025] (Exemplary Embodiment 1)

[0026] In FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, a main body 21 which is a part of thecasing is composed of an upper case 21 a and a lower case 21 b. The rearside top of the upper case 21 a has a keyboard 2 arranging a number ofkeys for input of text, numerals and symbols and giving variousinstructions to the notebook. The front side (closer side in FIG. 1 andFIG. 2) top of the upper case 21 a has a disk cover 24. The disk cover24 rotates about a shaft 23. This shaft 23 is positioned near the closerside end edge of the keyboard 22, and is disposed parallel to the closerside end edge. The disk cover 24 usually closes the disk drive device ina hooking manner as described below. In part of the top of the diskcover 24, there is a pointing device 25 such as keypad for input ofposition or the like. The disk cover 24 is forced in the releasingdirection by a push-up spring 26 such as helical spring as urging means.The disk cover 24 is usually locked in closed state by a lock mechanism27. Although not shown in the drawing, it is preferred to have a stopperso that the disk cover 24 may not open more than a specified angle.

[0027] A display unit 29 which is part of the casing is providedrotatably about a shaft 28 parallel to the end behind the main body 21.The display unit 29 includes a display device 30 such as liquid crystaldisplay device disposed at the side facing the keyboard 22 when thedisplay unit 29 is closed.

[0028] In FIG. 2, a disk 32 such as CD-ROM or DVD-ROM is detachablymounted on a drive shaft 31 of a drive motor (not shown in FIG. 2) of adisk drive device 33 (see FIG. 3 and FIG. 4). The disk drive device 33(see FIG. 3 and FIG. 4) is fixed to the casing directly or by way of abuffer (not shown in FIG. 2). At this time, part of the disk 32 advancesbeneath the keyboard 22, and overlaps with the keyboard 22, and hencethe depth of the main body 21 can be reduced. Two protrusions 34 areprovided at the back face of the disk cover 24, and when the disk cover24 is closed, a switch 35 provided in the main body 21 is pressed. Bypressing the switch 35, the power source is turned on in the laseremission device of the disk drive device 33, and it is ready to drive.In this manner, when the disk cover 24 is opened, the power source ofthe laser emission device is not turned on for the sake of safety. Inshort, the switch 35 turns on or off the electric circuit by theprotrusions 34 depending on opening or closing of the disk cover. Byopening or closing of the electric circuit, the disk drive device 33 iscontrolled.

[0029] The disk 32 such as CD-ROM or DVD-ROM is an example of diskrecording device. The disk 32 described in the present invention is notlimited to CD-ROM or DVD-ROM, but can be realized by other diskrecording medium.

[0030] The invention is further describe below while referring to FIG.3, which is a sectional view showing the periphery of disk drive deviceof portable information processing apparatus in an exemplary embodimentof the invention. When the disk 32 is mounted on the drive shaft 31 ofthe disk drive device 33, the drive shaft 31 is inclined so that theportion 32 a of the disk 32 advancing beneath the keyboard 22 can belower than other portions of the disk. Thus, the space can be usedeffectively.

[0031]FIG. 4 is a bottom view showing a state of removing the lower caseof portable information processing apparatus in an exemplary embodimentof the invention. Referring to FIG. 4, mounting of electric circuitssuch as heat generating parts are described below. In FIG. 4, the lowerside 36 of the keyboard 22 (see FIG. 1 to FIG. 3) is made of a materialof excellent heat conductivity. As the material, any metal small inspecific gravity and high in heat conductivity is preferred. Forexample, aluminum or copper can be used. The portable informationprocessing apparatus requires, for example, various electric circuitssuch as information processor and amplifier for video and audio output.These components include heat generating parts accompanied by generationof heat, and are often mounted in a small space. Therefore, heatdissipating measures of these components are important. These heatgenerating parts are fixed to the lower side 36 in an excellent heatconduction state with the lower side 36 of the keyboard 22. Thus, theheat generating parts are cooled effectively.

[0032] Thus, according to the exemplary embodiment, without lowering ofstrength of main body case due to notching of the side face of the mainbody case as in the prior art, it is not necessary to add the thicknessof the main body case to compensate for such lowering, and the innerspace is not increased or the weight is not increased due to slidemechanism, so that a portable information processing apparatus of smallsize and light weight can be realized.

[0033] Also in the exemplary embodiment, unlike Japanese Laid-openPatent No. H5-346829, the entire keyboard is not opened, and thekeyboard is fixed in the casing and the structure is rigid. In addition,the keyboard unit bottom may be composed of material of high heatconductivity such as aluminum or copper, and heat can be dissipated bybringing the CPU or other heat generating parts in contact with thisbottom.

[0034] (Exemplary Embodiment 2)

[0035] This exemplary embodiment is described by referring to the samedrawings, FIG. 1 to FIG. 4, as used in explanation of exemplaryembodiment 1. In FIG. 2, when the disk cover 24 is open, incidentally ifattempted to close the display unit 29 by turning in the direction ofthe main body 21, the display device 30 of the display unit 29 may hitagainst the disk cover 24 and may be broken. In this exemplaryembodiment, the margin 29 a of the display unit 29 projects from thedisplay device 30. Further, the width A of the margin 29 a is set to hitagainst the disk cover 24. In other words, the disk cover 24 isinstalled at a position hitting against the margin 29 a.

[0036] To prevent breakage of the display device 30 more effectively dueto collision of the display device 30 of the display unit 29 against thedisk cover 24, a push-up spring 26 is disposed at the closer side to themargin 29 a of the disk cover 24, that is, at the left side in FIG. 2.The reason is that if provided at the far side form the margin 29 a,that is, at the right side in FIG. 2, a lifting force is applied at theright side, and the disk cover 24 is twisted. As a result, the rightside may hit against the side of the display device 30 in the firstplace.

[0037] Thus, according to the exemplary embodiment, the margin of thedisplay unit rotatable about the shaft of the main body projects fromthe display device, and is disposed at a position hitting against thedisk cover, and the push-up spring of the disk cover is provided at sidecloser to the margin of the display unit, and therefore if attempted toclose the display unit by mistake while the disk cover is open, damageof the display device can be prevented.

[0038] The configuration of constituent parts shown in the foregoingexemplary embodiments is a mere example, and can be freely changed ormodified within the scope of the claims.

[0039] Herein, the reproduction-only disk is explained, but a recordabledisk can be also used if the disk drive device is applicable.

[0040] According to the portable information processing apparatus of theinvention as described herein, since side of the casing is not notched,the strength is enhanced even if the casing is small in thickness.Without lowering of strength of main body case due to notching of theside face of the main body case, it is not necessary to add thethickness of the main body case to compensate for such lowering.Further, the inner space is not increased or the weight is not increaseddue to slide mechanism of the disk drive device, thereby not requiringthe space around the disk drive device or parts moving space, andtherefore the volume efficiency is high, the casing height is lowered,and the size and weight can be reduced. Thus, the invention realizes asmall and lightweight portable information processing apparatus.

[0041] The invention also prevents damage due to accidental contactbetween the display device and the disk cover when attempted to closethe display unit by mistake while the disk cover is open.

What is claimed is:
 1. A portable information processing apparatuscomprising: a disk drive device having a detachable disk recordingmedium; a disk cover for covering the disk drive device; a keyboard fordata input; and a casing main body, wherein the disk cover can be openedand closed from the casing; and wherein the disk drive device allowspart of the disk recording medium to advance beneath the keyboard whenthe disk recording medium is loaded into the disk drive device.
 2. Theportable information processing apparatus of claim 1, wherein the diskcover comprises a pointing device for position input.
 3. The portableinformation processing apparatus of claim 1, wherein the disk coverfurther comprises a protrusion; wherein the main body further comprisesa switch; wherein the switch opens or closes an electric circuit by theprotrusion depending on opening or closing of the disk cover; andwherein the disk drive device is controlled by the opening or theclosing of the electric circuit.
 4. The portable information processingapparatus of claims 1, wherein the keyboard is fixed to the casing; andwherein the lower side of the keyboard is made of a material of anexcellent heat conductivity, and is in contact with the heat generatingparts in the casing.
 5. The portable information processing apparatus ofclaims 1, wherein the disk drive device is installed at an inclinationso that the loaded disk recording medium is lower than in other partstoward the portion advancing beneath the keyboard.
 6. The portableinformation processing apparatus of claims 1, further comprising: adisplay unit rotatable about the main body, wherein the display unit hasa display device; wherein the margin of the display unit projects fromthe display device; and wherein the margin hits against the disk coverwhen the display unit is closed while the disk cover is open.
 7. Theportable information processing apparatus of claim 6, furthercomprising: a urging means for forcing the disk cover in releasingdirection, wherein the urging means is provided at the side of the diskcover hitting against the margin.